Joint Statement from the Bedford School Committee and Bedford Education Association:
The Bedford School Committee (BSC) and Bedford Education Association (BEA) are pleased to announce that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new comprehensive and competitive contract for the Educator Support Professional unit that will position the Bedford Public Schools to attract and retain a high quality workforce to support our students. Details of the settlement include:
- The first year of the agreement for FY25 includes a significant market adjustment. In addition, we are pleased to address disproportionately low wages for a small portion of unit members currently classified as educational assistants. The new rates are posted here.
- In years 2 (FY26) and 3 (FY27) of the contract, employees will receive a 3.0 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) and an additional 2.0 percent market adjustment, for a total 5 percent increase each year.
- In addition, all current members who were employed during the 2020-2021 school year (when the BEA accepted a 0 percent COLA in the face of fiscal uncertainty during the pandemic) will receive a one-time payment of 5.5 percent of their annual salary in FY21. The School Committee, Finance Committee, and Select Board have all expressed support for this payment, which will require approval at Town Meeting in March 2025 and would be paid before the end of June 30, 2025.
- All employees will also be eligible for 10 days of paid parental leave with the ability to use sick time for additional leave (up to 10 additional weeks for birth parents and six additional weeks for non-birth parents).
- This agreement also provides additional training and tuition reimbursement opportunities to all members to support their continued professional development and growth.
We are grateful for the collaborative and productive nature of the negotiations throughout the process, and we look forward to continued partnership in the new school year on behalf of Bedford students and families.
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